Monday, 1 December 2014

I keep forgetting to tell you all that I have set up a Facebook Page. I am working out again how to create a new button to match my other ones on the side so it will be up their soon but in the mean time the link is https://www.facebook.com/beingalice92 so please go and check it out and like my page to keep all up to date with this blog, instagram and other daily posts.

This morning as I was cleaning my brushes I thought why don't I write a post about this and what brushes I use. So I am. This is just going to be a short post about the brushes I own and how I clean them. Also, sorry for the iPhone photos. Very last minute decision on the blog post writing.

As you can tell I absolutely adore the Real Techniques Brushes. I just think they are a great quality and affordable brush that get the job done really well in terms of applying and blending makeup.

From the colour of the water you can tell that my brushes desperately needed a clean. To clean them I get bowl of warm water (I replaced the water 3 or 4 times to clean all of the brushes) and I use the Pantene Classic Clean Shampoo. I dip the brush into the water then squirt a little bit of shampoo onto the top of my brush or my hand and swirl it around until you can see the water/bubbles from the shampoo are coming out completely clear. I also sometimes just wash the brush under the running water to see if the brush is clear. Then I just leave them to dry on a tea towel until they are completely dry and that's it!

Feel free to share your tips on how you clean our brushes and I would love to get some recommendations on your favourite makeup brushes or tools.

Monday, 3 November 2014

If you follow me on Instagram (@being.alice92) you would of seen that I did some shopping on Saturday at my favourite makeup stores Mecca Maxima and Mecca Cosmetica. Today I also continued my shopping in Lush, definitely one of my other favourites.

In Mecca Maxima I finally purchased some new foundation. I picked up the NARS Sheer Glow foundation in Fiji. I have heard so much about this and have really wanted to try it and it definitely lived up to my expectations when I used it on Saturday night. It blends super well in the skin especially when using a beauty blender, which I also picked up from Kit. To go along with the foundation I picked up the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard. This is wonderful. I wore it today without any foundation underneath and it still covered everything I needed.

In Lush today I went a bit crazy (for my student budget haha). The only thing that is a repurchase is the Big Liquid Shampoo. This is a sea salt shampoo which my hair cannot live without. It makes my hair feel super clean and soft without feeling heavy as it isn't full of chemicals. I just use it along with a regular conditioner and thats my hair routine.

All the other products are new purchases that I am super excited to try out.

Lucky me got the face mask for free because I saved up 5 of the pots that Big comes in and returned them to the store so to receive the free mask. I'm excited to try this the most. I have never really done a face mask before and this one sounded the best for me.

And that's all of my recent shopping. Tell me what your favourite stores or Lush products are and I will go and check them out. I love getting recommendations from others!

Wednesday, 29 October 2014

Sorry I have been so absent recently. University is taking over my life and I don't have the best time management skills. I am the queen of procrastinating. Really I'm procrastinating from my assessment now by writing this post. But here are a few things that I have been up too since the end of August.

I got myself some new glasses and I absolutely love them. I use them when I am reading or doing computer work or at university. I don't need them all the time which is lucky. These are the Ray Ban RB 5286 2034 and I got them and my eyes tested at the NIB Eye Centre in Chatswood. I would recommend visiting them if you are with the health insurance provider and what quick and fantastic service.

Ben and I completed the Blackmores Running Festival Bridge Run! This was a 9km run from Milsons Point to the Botanical Gardens over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It was great to run over the harbour bridge plus I completed the run in just over an hour which was a whole load faster than I thought I was going to be!

These pictures are just a whole load of celebrations that we have done. From R - L:

We celebrated two of our good friends engagement, a friends birthday at the Soda Factory and there's just a selfie of me thrown in for good measure. This was before an afternoon tea for visiting family.

Last but not least me and my friends went to our good friend, Lizzie's leaving party. She is moving to America indefinitely so the theme was Americana. We went as the stereotypical American tourists. I cannot believe I wore Crocs with socks out in public! It was a fun night and I will miss the gorgeous Lizzie but hey it gives me an opportunity to visit her in the Big Apple!

Thats all for now! Sorry I have been so absent and its been quiet, I have a whole load of posts up my sleeve for the coming weeks so I'm going to try and get into the habit of posting more regularly again.

Saturday, 30 August 2014

So my parents have just been on a holiday to the UK so I to advantage of that and got them to pick up some things from Boots. I'm so excited to be able to get my hands of some of these products. I was going to try and get things that weren't available here in Australia but Benefit is so much cheaper over there I made sure I got my hands on the products I have been loving. Here's a brand by brand overview of what I got. As I try these products I might to some reviews on the ones I love.

Soap and Glory

I'm most excited to try the Archery Brow Tint just to change up my routine and try something new. I have heard so many good reviews about it (especially from Zoella!) Also super excited to try the Sexy Mother Blusher in Pinkerbell. It's my first cream/stick blush so it will be something completely different for me. If you are looking for Soap and Glory in Australia head to Mecca Maxima or the Kit concession stands in Myer's. The only product of these that you can get here is the Heel Genius but try out some of the other delicious bath and body products you can get.

Benefit

The They're Real! Push-up liner and the Porefessional were the two Benefit products I have been wanting to try out for quite a long time. The Fake Up concealer was a freebie with my purchases. You can get these products here in Australia but they are more expensive which is why I chose to get them from Boots.

Sleek

I have been wanting a Sleek eyeshadow palette ever since my sister bought one back from the UK last year. I have one of their cheek sets (with blush, highlighter and contour) and its amazing. I got the Oh So Special (pinks) and the Au Naturel (nudes). Super excited to try these!

I think there might be some places online to get these shipped to Australia. I might need to do some research!

Revlon

Revlon is available here in Australia in Priceline and other stores but these particular lip products aren't available yet. I have heard so many wonderful things about them that I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get my hands on them. I'll post pictures on my Instagram when I first use them so go and check me out over there.

And that's everything! Let me know what you like that you can't always get in Australia or products you like from Australia that you can't get in other parts of the world.

Lip Balms

These are my current favourite lip balms. They are the Korres Lip Butter in Wild Rose and the Nivea Hydro Care. The Korres one is a new purchase (in this colour) and it is amazing. I love the colour, the sheer tint of pinky red and it is is super hydrating on the lips. Nivea makes an amazing range of lip balms but this one is by far my favourite. As you can see in this photo mine is wound all the way up and I have now finished. This will be a definite repurchase for me.

Lip Glosses

I have never really been a lip gloss girl until I got my hands on Tanya Burrs lip glosses in Chic (Nude) and Picnic in the Park (Pink). I love this addition to my lip collection. They last for ages, look good on the lips and feel really nice. I purchased these off the website feelunique.com

Lip Sticks

So from left to right (or top to bottom on the swatches) my favourite lip sticks are Kate Moss for RImmel in 206 and 207 and MAC Brave Red. The two Kate Moss for Rimmel are wonderful matte lipsticks with amazing pigmentation. 206 is a bright pink with cool undertones and 207 is a dark red, almost plum colour. The perfect winter shade in my opinion. The MAC Creamsheen lipstick in Brave Red is my go to red lipstick. I love the consistency of the creamsheen and I feel like it hydrates my lips really well whilst I'm wearing it.

So there you go, my favourite lip products and again sorry for the delay between posts. Hopefully I can get back into the swing of things now.

Sunday, 3 August 2014

So I thought this would be a perfect post to enter my blog into the beauty world. First thing first my makeup bag is a medium cosmetic bag from Vera Bradley. I have had this makeup bag since I visited the United States in 2010. They don't have this colour/pattern available any longer (I linked to a similar colour above) but I did just visit the website and they now ship to Australia. Hooray for pretty things but not for my wallet (haha)! So onto the contents (all links to Australian website, where possible).

Brushes

I have just recently fallen in love with the Real Techniques Brushes by Sam Chapman. I was lusting after them for a long time then finally got my hands on them for my birthday. I own the Core collection, which the Buffing brush comes in. The Enhanced Eyes Starter Kit, which the base shadow brush comes in and then the two single brushes shown above. I use the blush brush for both blush and bronzer and yes I know, they REALLY need a clean. The MAC 266 brush I use for filling in my eyebrows and the occasional liner. I definitely love these brushes!

PSA - If your in Australia Priceline currently have a 3 for 2 sale on all Real Techniques Brushes!

Face

I absolutely love this product. It is so versatile and works wonderfully for my skin colour. You can use the two colours together for an all over bronze or use the matte side for contour and the shimmery lighter side as a highlighter. It also works well as an eyeshadow (the shimmery side) using in the inner corners and over the brow bone. I first found this in the UK but in Australia you can find it in the Kit/Mecca stores in Myer and their websites.

This is my current foundation of choice. My skin is quite dry and tired and this just gives it the perfect coverage and sheen to make it look more alive. The concealer covers up my dark circles under my eyes, which every working uni student must have. I don't really use this concealer to cover blemishes but luckily at the moment my skin is being kind to me!

I have been using this product for years now and still wouldn't use anything else (definitely open to suggestions though!) It sets everything perfectly and makes my makeup last for the day and also covers well if I can't be bothered with foundation and just use a tinted moisturiser.

This was one of my splurges in my spending (I am a university student) and I have fallen in love with it. I love the colour payoff of this blush and this pigmentation is amazing. Definitely want more of the NARS blushes.

Eyes

MAC Custom Palette

I created this palette when I was on holiday in the UK last year. The colours included are (L-R):

Top - Gleam and Tempting (both shimmer/glitter)

Bottom - Swiss Chocolate and Charcoal Brown (both matte)

The top two I just use for shadows. Swiss chocolate I use for both a basic shadow and a liner when I'm doing a natural eye. Charcoal brown I use (with my MAC 266 brush) to fill in my brows. Hopefully someday soon I will be able to create a larger MAC palette!

I really enjoy using the Maybelline Colour Tattoo Eyeshadows. They are a cream shadow with fantastic pigmentation. I love using these as they are easy to apply and I can use it on its own when I am in a hurry.

This is my other splurge item in my makeup bag (and its almost all gone, boo). I love this mascara, it creates wonderful volume and thick eyelashes. I'm super sad that it's almost gone because I cannot afford another one at the moment.

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner - Blackest Black
This liner is perfect for creating both a thin line along the top lashes or a strong cat eye line. Its like a felt tip pen thats not too thick or too thin. Really it makes eyeliner easy for people like me who are rubbish at it.

Rimmel Scandal'Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner - Black
I use this liner to line my waterline on both my top and bottom lashes. Its perfect and thick and glides on easily. I wouldn't say that it is amazingly waterproof as it does slip off my eyes quite easily (but my eyes also have a tendency to water). This liner is also great to use with a brush to create a dulled effect on the upper lash line. Love it!

So there you go, that is what is in my makeup bag. As you can see I haven't included lip products as they are constantly changing depending on my mood. I will be doing a post on my favourite lip products to round off what's in my makeup bag.
Feel free to leave me any suggestions in the comments of what you think I might like!

Saturday, 2 August 2014

So I have been slacking a little lately with the blog and I am sorry. I just haven't had any inspiration or focus on what I want to write about. Today I decided to sit down and plan a few blog posts to come.

Today is that new day to start again and continue on this journey so bear with me!

Also, I have set up a new instagram just for this wonderful blog so you get to see an insight into my life. I will also be completing Fat Mum Slim's photo a day challenges on this particular instagram. If you don't know what that is head over to her wonderful blog here.

Thursday, 17 July 2014

So today my wonderful friend Danielle flew in from the country to visit for the weekend. As she lives in a little country town the first thing she wanted to do was go out to eat (which is never a problem in my eyes). As we were so close I decided The Grounds at Alexandria would be a wonderful place for some food. As we got there we got our buzzer for a table and had a wander around the area. It is quite a large cafe with beautiful gardens and they even have a pig, named Kevin Bacon. First stop on my list was coffee, I ordered a strong Latte ($4) and we continued to explore.

Around the garden there a little stalls selling a range of different delicious sweet baked goods, fresh fruit and lemonades and beautiful flowers. Then our buzzer went off! It was time to eat!

For lunch I ordered the Cured Salmon Salad ($17). It was absolutely delicious. The salmon was served with a cucumber and beetroot salad with chives, toasted bread and cream fraiche. I loved the dish. It was packed full of flavour and really refreshing.

Danielle ordered a Beef Ragu pasta (can't remember the exact name sorry, $19). It looked amazing and I had a little taste of the beef and it was melt in your mouth amazing. We were both really happy with our choices.

I also ordered some polenta chips ($4.50) which were a bit of a mistake. Firstly because the salad was super filling and delicious that I didn't need them and secondly because they weren't the greatest. They were very thick and quite dry. They also didn't have much seasoning on them so they were a little plain. But hey you win some and lose some.

Lastly my drink, this was a watermelon, pineapple, apple, lemon and mint juice and it was one of the best juices i have ever tasted. The right balance of sweet, sour and minty and just so easy to drink. I believe this would taste amazing as a cocktail with some vodka added to it. That's something I must try at home!

I had such a wonderful morning and I love going out and trying new things. Just an update, so far this blog seems to have revolved around lifestyle and food posts but I promise there will be some beauty posts coming soon. I just love food a lot haha!

Wednesday, 9 July 2014

On Sunday I went with my boyfriend, Benjamin's family to High Tea at the Gunners Barracks in Mosman for his mums birthday. I am super lucky to have a wonderful second family that love me as much as my own family. They are all family to me! The morning tea we had was absolutely amazing. Both the food and the view across the water!

The scones were some of the best that I have ever eaten. The sandwiches were delicious and they had my favourite, smoked salmon with cream cheese and dill! The macaroons were lime flavoured and were good, not the best i have ever had (hello Zumbo!) but good, but the passionfruit cheesecake slice was to die for. All in all the food was amazing and I would definitely recommend it to someone looking for a wonderful morning or afternoon.

Along with the amazing 'adult' food they catered really well for the little ones as well. This is my absolutely beautiful niece, Lucy, enjoying her kids high tea and baby chino. But as all 3 year olds are, they can get a bit bored sitting at a table so in front of the barracks is a grassy area to look out over the ocean so we went for a run and took some photos. She is a dream to photograph!

I had such a wonderful morning with my amazing family and heres a selfie for good measure! Leave me a comment about your favourite high tea place (if you have been).

Wednesday, 2 July 2014

On Saturday I decided that I wanted to head out somewhere new where I had never been before. With with wonderful Amy by my side we set out for the afternoon to explore Glebe Markets and the surrounding area.

Glebe Markets has a mixture of vintage/second-hand clothes, people selling the items that they have created, bric-a-brac and a range of delicious food and drink stalls. Of course the first thing that we had to do was find something delicious to eat. I opted for a Turkish Gozleme with spinach and cheese and Amy a gourmet sausage sandwich. I also got a fresh lemonade and Amy a Pinelime-aid (Pineapple and Lime). Market food is usually always pretty good and this was one of the best gozleme's I have ever had.

Once we had finished eating, whilst listening to the sounds of live music, we started to explore the stalls of the markets. Some of my friends has set up a stall selling off some of their clothes they don't wear anymore. I think this is a great idea and I might have to do it next time I have a clear out of my closet. We wandered the stalls for about an hour looking at amazing, handmade jewellery and smelling delicious candles. Neither of us ended up buying anything but it was wonderful to look and explore.

I haven't been to Glebe many times before so it was nice just to wander up Glebe Point Rd checking out some of the shops and quirky little places there. There are a couple of amazing bookshops that were wonderful to get lost in looking at a variety of beautiful books and stationary (one of my shopping weaknesses!) and some delectable desert places. We decided on San Churro Chocolatier for coffee and churros. Chocolate and caramel with Spanish Donuts plus Iced Spanish Lattes, what could go wrong!

The wonderful Amy, my exploring companion!

How delicious does that look?!

Once we devoured this sweet goodness we left and the weather had changed. It wasn't the nice sunny day the morning was but the wind and picked up and it looked like a large storm was rolling in. It was time to head home (this was without stopping to take a few pictures on the way).

Quick outfit of the day for you:

Striped Top - Dotti

Denim Jacket - Bardot

Black Jeans - Wrangler

Scarf - Agent NinetyNine

Shoes - Converse

Bag - Next (UK)

Lips - Kate Moss Rimmel 107

All in all I had a wonderful afternoon exploring more of my beautiful city and can't wait to check out some more! Let me know some of your favourite areas of Sydney (or other cities) that I should check out.